Automatic bag neck gatherer and tying mechanism

ABSTRACT

This invention is concerned with the subject matter of placing a tie upon the neck of a bag that has previously been filled. The bags for which this particular device is designed are the type that utilize food stuffs, particularly popcorn, potato chips, apples, oranges, onions and the like. There is a source of tie wire which is free mounted. The wire is fed through certain tubes that are strategically located in designated areas. The wire that is pulled through the tubes is bent. One of the tubes is moveable and because the wire is bent, the wire can be pulled from its source through the fixed tube. There is a spinning type of knife which cuts off a segment of the wire. The cut off wire is then wrapped around the neck of the bag. The neck of the bag is squeezed together by the mechanism. There is a control circuit electrically operated for synchronizing the various function of the device. In the preferred embodiment, pneumatic cylinders are employed for actuating the mechanism. The device has been particularly designed to operate with a filled bag on the Bodolay bag making and feeding machine known as U.S. Pat. No. 2,877,609. There is a tying mechanism that takes the cut wire and wraps around the neck of the bag and the spinner mechanism twists it twice after the neck of the bag has been squeezed snugly together.

United States Patent 91 Bodolay [111 3 721 1a rcli 20, 19

[ AUTOMATIC BAG NECK GATHERER AND TYING MECHANISM [76] Inventor: WilliamA. Bodolay, l5 Fernglen Road, East Longmeadow, Mass. 01106 22 Filed:June 14,1971

21 Appl.No.: 152,777

[52] U.S. Cl. ..53/l35, 53/138 A [51] Int. Cl. ..B65b 7/12 [58] Field ofSearch ..53/l34, 135, 138 A; 29/335,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,354,915 11/1967 Johnson eta1 ..53/l35 3,190,053 6/1965 Tobey ..53/l38 A Primary Examiner-Travis S.McGehee Assistant ExaminerJohn Sipos Attorney-Leonard S. Michelman [5 7]ABSTRACT This invention is concerned with the subject matter of placinga tie upon the neck of a bag that has previously been filled. The bagsfor which this particular device is designed are the type that utilizefood stuffs, particularly popcorn, potato chips, apples, oranges, onionsand the like. There is a source of tie wire which is free mounted. Thewire is fed through certain tubes that are strategically located indesignated areas. The wire that is pulled through the tubes is bent. Oneof the tubes is moveable and because the wire is bent, the wire can bepulled from its source through the fixed tube. There is a spinning typeof knife which cuts off a segment of the wire. The cut off wire is thenwrapped around the neck of the bag. The neck of the bag is squeezedtogether by the mechanism. There is a control circuit electricallyoperated for synchronizing the various function of the device. In thepreferred embodiment, pneumatic cylinders are employed for actuating themechanism. The device has been particularly designed to operate with afilled bag on the Bodolay bag making and feeding machine known as U.S.Pat. No. 2,877,609. There is a tying mechanism that takes the cut wireand wraps around the neck of the bag and the spinner mechanism twists ittwice after the neck of the bag has been squeezed snugly together.

24 Claims, 1 1 Drawing Figures PATENTEUMmd 197a SHEET 2 [IF 7 whim AB@5111 [NVENTUR PATENTEDMARZO 1915 3,721,061 SHEETBOF 7' Willi-um A E! :1t1 :1 luy INVENTU R PATENTEDMARZO I975 SHEET [1F 7 William AIE: m :1uluy PATENIEDMARZO 197s SHEET 7 [1F 7 INVENTUH AUTOMATIC BAG NECKGATHERER AND TYING MECHANISM This invention is concerned with thepackaging of items that require the tie of the package instead ofstapling or sealing, particularly the type used with food, cereals,snacks and the like. For example, a typical type of package that is tiedis popcorn, flaked chips, pretzels and the like.

Heretofore there have been many attempts to tie the package tightly andsecurely. The known methods have many faults and drawbacks.

It is particularly an object of the within invention to provide a deviceto tie instead of seal the type of package formed on a machine describedin a patent of William A. Bodolay and Stephen M. Bodolay for a machinefor making bags from a continuous web, US. Pat. No. 2,877,609. In theaforesaid patent, a continuous web of plastic material is folded andsealed and bags are formed therefrom. It was taught in the aforesaidpatent that the top fold be sealed so that a rectangular shapedcontainer is formed.

In the within disclosure the top seal shall not be used, but insteadshall be replaced by the tie type arrangement of this invention herein.

A novel and unique device and arrangement of parts has been conceivedand invented to make the tying arrangement on the aforesaid patentedmachine with the type of bag formed by this particular machine.

It is an object of the within invention to provide a uniformity of ties.The bag top is gathered and the twist tie is positioned while the bag isunder complete control. The bag is firmly held until ejected as a tiedpackage. This guarantees uniformity in mass production typing of eachbag.

The material for the tie used in the disclosure herein is a typicalplastic covered wire. The machine is so designed that paper covered wiremay also be employed. The machine will not permit the tied wire, whetherpaper, or plastic covered, to jam the machine; so that when the nextpackage comes into position to be tied, there can be no stoppage orinterruption caused by a piece of the tie wire clogging, thus preventingthe next package from being tied.

The device herein is adapted to be used with the aforesaid Bodolaypatent No. 2,877,609 and, therefore, enables continuous operation. Thebags are formed succeedingly and continuously. They are filledsucceedingly and continuously. The tying operation takes placesucceedingly and continually. The device eliminates several laboroperations and is, therefore, extremely economical.

As a result of this invention, there is no longer a need to transfer thepackage from one machine to another as is done by others in the art.

Briefly, the within invention is accomplished by feeding the tie wirethrough certain tubes that are strategically located in a designatedarea. The wire is bent by a spinning knife. The spinning knife is offcenter so that there is a timing arrangement to give the wire anopportunity to be placed into position. A cylinder is synchronized withthe timing of the machine so that it pushes a puller extension tubewhich contains the tie wire that is bent. Because the tie wire is bent,the said tube pulls the wire from its source through a feed tube andwith the puller extension tube that is being pushed by the cylinder. Thewire is, therefore, pulled by the feed tube to the tie looping headwhich in a sense is like threading a needle. As soon as the wire goesthrough this opening, there is a pull back; and because of the bend inthe wire, the wire itself engages a loop by booking around the eye. Thecylinder that pushed the tube now retracts and the wire remains inposition, irrespective of the fact that the tube is pulled back over thewire. At this point in the cycle of the mechanism there is a length ofwire threaded on the tie looping head. A second cylinder isstrategically located and is energized. The second cylinder pushes thetie looping arm. The tie looping arm is mounted on a pivot and issomewhat circular in shape. It, therefore, moves the arm in a circulartype of path causing the tie looping head to travel in a circular locustowards the feeder tube. At this point in the cycle there is a U loopover the neck of the bag with the tie material forming the U loop. Thetie twisting head now commences to rotate. A separate transmissionsystem operates the twisting head which twists the tie wire. This spinstwo complete revolutions and, therefore, puts two complete twists of thewire on the neck of the bag. The wire is cut by a knife which is locatedat a strategic position. It is also to be stated that there are devicesto squeeze the neck of the bag prior to its being tied.

For a more detailed specification of this invention, reference is madeto the detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is the top view of the tie feeder assembly.

FIG. 2 is the side elevational view of the tie twisting head.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic end view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of FIG. ll.

FIG. 5 is a side view in diagrammatic form of the bag formingmachine inits tying position.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the electrical control circuit foroperating various components of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the pneumatic control circuit.

FIG. 8 is a combined top and side diagrammatic view showing theoperation of the tying mechanism in its first position prior to the bagbeing gathered and tied.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 9, but with the bag beingpartially gathered together, the gatherer mechanism moving into positionjust prior to the final squeezing together of the neck of the bag.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIGS. 9 and 10 but with theneck of the bag being fully squeezed together showing the parts of themechanism that employs this function.

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view of the tied bag being released from thetie twisting head, showing the position of the tied bag before and afterbeing released.

THE MECHANISM Reference is made to the drawings and in this instance,particularly FIG. 1. A tie looping arm 51 which is in the shape of asegment of a circle has at its far end a tie looping head 50 in whichthere is an opening adapted to receive the tie wire 62. The tie loopingcylinder 52 is mounted at a strategic location as shown in FIG. 1wherein its piston ram 51a is connected to tie looping arm 51 by abearing pin 49. The tie looping arm 51 is mounted in the tie loopinghead fulcrum 68, which is mounted in the stationary support 67. The tielooping cylinder 52 is connected by a bracket on the cylinder supportframe 61. The cylinder support frame 61 is secured to the main frame 48.The cylinder support frame 61 is secured to the main frame 48 (see FIG.4) by the screws 61a. The tie wire 62 passes through a tube 63. Tube 63has a slight bend in it and is stationary and is secured to the cylindersupport frame 61 and passes through an opening therein. In the preferredembodiment the tube 63 is welded to the frame 61.

Tie puller cylinder 63a is also mounted in the cylinder support frame61. Its piston ram 64a is connected to a tie puller cylinder connector64. The tie puller cylinder connector 64 is connected to tie pullerextension tube 66. The tie puller extension tube 66 is connected to thetie puller mounting head 65 which is secured to the aforesaid tie pullercylinder connector 64. The tie puller extension tube 66 passes throughan opening in the tie bearing block 66a. Tie wire 62 can be seen in theview of FIG. 1 extending from the end of the tube 66. This area has beendesignated as 620. The bending of the tie wire 62 takes place in thearea at 62a. Reference can be made to FIG. 3 to see this in more detailas this is a crucial point of the invention.

FIG. 1 discloses the extended position of tube 66 in dotted lines. Thisis not to be confused with the position of 66 before the operating cyclecommences. Similarly there are dotted lines indicating the position ofthe bag ejector rod 59.

The bag ejector cylinder 60 is mounted through an opening in thecylinder support 61. The bag ejector tie shaft 69 is connected to theram 60a of the cylinder 60. It is shown in dotted lines in its closedposition and shown in its extended position in solid lines. The bagejector rod 59 is connected to the bag ejector cylinder connector 69.The ejector rod 59 passes within the rotary knife actuating pinion 58where there is a circular shaped tube or housing 57 circumscribing theejector shaft 59. This can be seen clearly in the view of FIG. 2. Theejector shaft 59 passes through the tube 57 and through the tie twistinghead 53. Head 53 has a hub 53a. Hub 53a acts as a mounting hub to enablehead 53 to be mounted on the tube 57. The tie clamp finger 79 which hasa configuration similar to the State of Idaho, is mounted by the screw79a to the stationary support 67.

A fixed knife 54 which is made of hardened tool steel is securedpermanently to the frame 48. There is an opening 54a within the knife54. In FIG. 1 there can be seen another opening 81 above the opening 54ain the said knife 54. Mounted within the opening 81 is a bearing 80. Thebearing 80 seats or supports the tube 57 which passes through theopening 81. Mounted on the tube 57 next to the opening 81 is the rotarycutting knife 55. There is a spring 56 which maintains a pressure on therotating knife 55 so that it is in contact with the fixed knife 54. Thespring 56 'circumscribes the tube 57. There is a snap ring 56acircumscribing the tube 57 which locks the spring 56 into position asshown in FIG. 1 in order to maintain the spring tension against therotary knife 55 There is a dust cover plate 70 which can be seen in theview of FIG. 1 in part and segmented. A motor 71 is shown in cylindricalform. The motor 71 has a shaft 71a (see FIG. 4). Mounted on the shaft71a are the cams 72, 73 and 74. The cams 72, 73 and 74 actuate microswitches which will be explained hereinafter. (See FIG. 6.) Each ofthese cams 72, 73 and 74 are mounted on the shaft 710 as shown in FIG.4. Mounted on shaft 710 is a segment gear 75 which is part of thetransmission system for operating the twister 53.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which shows the principle of the Bodolaypatent referred to previously. The continuous source of the film or webis at 88. The web 88 is fed through a pulley arrangement and is foldedinto a double layer at the folding station 98.

The web 88 moves in the direction of the arrow 91. The seal is formed at96 creating the bag edges. The filling station is shown at 92. Thefinished bag is at 86. Trim 90 which is the cut off wasted film or webis shown in the view of FIG. 5. The entire assembly shown in FIG. 1 andFIG. 4 is indicated by the numeral 94 in the view of FIG. 5. From thisview it can be seen that the tying assembly of this invention is locatedat the last station in the Bodolay machine.

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show the tying mechanism in its various stages of itscycle of operation. Before explaining the operation, reference is madeto the elements themselves.

The folded web 77, shown in the views aforesaid of FIGS. 8, 9 and 10,can be seen as a thin line in FIG. 10 because the views are both lookingdown on it in one direction, and looking at it in a vertical elevationat the same time. Printed on the web are the electric eye spots 93.These spots 93 are employed for pre-printed film registration which isnot part of this disclosure.

A bag 86 can be seen in each of these views in various positions. Theneck of the bag is also in various positions. The tie wire 76 is shownin the view of FIG. 10. The bag gatherer 87 is in the shape of aninverted vertex at one end for catching the ends of the film so as togather it. The side view of the gatherer 87 appears to be U shaped. Itis, therefore, bifurcated and each of the arm members are symmetrical inshape as seen from looking down on it in the upper portion of thevarious views in FIGS. 8, 9and 10.

THE ELECTRICAL CONTROL CIRCUIT Reference is made now to the view of FIG.6.

FIG. 6 is an electrical diagram which controls the operation of thevarious parts. There is a voltage source 43 which is connected acrossthe input terminals 38 and 39. It is contemplated in the embodimentshown that -l20 volts of alternating current will be employed. Anelectrical conductor 40 connects one side of the on-off switch 47 withone side of the input terminal 39. The other side of the on-ofi switch47 is connected to a junction 44. The junction 44 has an electricalconductor 45 leading downwardly in FIG. 6 and also a conductor 29leading directly away from the onoff switch 47. Conductor line 29 is incircuit with a normally open micro-switch 46. (Micro-switch 46 has notbeen shown heretofore. Micro-switch 46 is located on the Bodolay machinecam shaft. Reference is made to the aforesaid Bodolay U.S. Pat. No.2,877,609 in which FIG. 26 shows the cam shaft 31.) Micro-switch 46 isnormally in an open position. The cam shaft aforesaid on the Bodolaymachine U.S. Pat. No. 2,877,609 is running as the bags are formed andcauses microswitch 46 to close, which now closes the circuit through theelectrical conductor 42 to the motor 71. The motor 71 is connected to areturn 41 which connects with the other side of the input circuit at 38,and, of course, begins to operate.

Also at the junction 44 is the electrical conductor 45 which isconnected in parallel to a plurality of microswitches 72a, 73a, and 74a.These micro switches 72a, 73a, and 74a are mounted on the earns 72, 73and 74 in the view of FIG. 4, respectively. The shaft 71a reaches apredetermined position and the normally open microswitches 72a, 73a and74a will close. When 72a closes, it connects an electrical circuit alsoto the motor 71 and through the return conductor 41 to the input sourceat 38. When the micro-switch 73a closes, it connects with a bank ofparallel solenoid valves 52b and 52c. The solenoid valves 52b and 520control a pneumatic valve 52 as will be explained hereinafter. Theelectrical circuit is closed between 52b and 52c by the conductor 37which connects with the source at 38.

Similarly, when micro-switch 74a is closed, it connects the electricalsource with a parallel bank of solenoid valves 60-630 and 60-631; whichare connected with the return conduit 41 by the electrical line 36 tothe input source at 38. The solenoid valves 60-63a and 60-63b operatethe pneumatic cylinders 60 and 63 as will be explained hereinafter.

THE OPERATION In operation, the on-off switch 47 has to be closed. This,as previously stated, closes the circuit through the micro-switch 46which is operating the machine itself. When the bags have been completedon the machine, the micro-switch 46 closes. It closes only momentarilyand, therefore, pulses so that the motor 71 starts to operate, whichoperates the cam 72 upon which microswitch 72a is located causingmicro-switch 72a to close and to maintain the motor 71 in circuit andoperating. This is for one cycle or revolution.

Cam 73 next operates micro-switch 73a which energizes the solenoidvalves 52b and 52c. The solenoid valves 52b and 52c operate thepneumatic cylinder 52. The pneumatic cylinder 52 now controls themechanical operation of the parts disclosed in FIG. 1 and shown indifferent stages of operation in the views of FIGS 8, 9 and 10. Thepneumatic valve,52-actually is the bag folder and gatherer pneumaticcylinder because it controls the operation of both parts that controlthe gatheringof the bag and the folding of the bag. There are manyfunctions taking place simultaneously. The various functions will beexplained with the understanding that they are operating almostsimultaneously.

Pneumatic cylinder 52 forces the tie loop arm 51 to move in the positionof the dotted line shown in FIG. 1. As the tie loop arm 51 is moved tothe position shown in the dotted line, it causes the neck of the bag toclose together as can be seen in the view of FIG. 10. Reference is madeto the position of the bag 86 and the top thereof in FIG. 10. Tielooping cylinder 52 remains the position shown in the view of FIG. 10.

Motor 71 continues to be energized and rotates cam shaft 71a so that thetwister driving gear 75 imparts rotary motion to the rotary knifeactuating pinion 58, which rotates the rotary knife operating tube 57,which rotates the knife 55 as well as the tie twisting head 53. Knife55, as it rotates, cuts the tie wire 62; and the tie twister 53 takesthe remaining wire 76 and twists it around the bag as shown in the viewof FIG. 10. There are two complete revolutions of the twist of the wire76 made around the neck of the bag. At the same time head 53 isspinning, the knife 55, because it is eccentric (mounted off center)bends the trunk of the tie wire 62 down on the tube 66 as shown in theview of FIG. 3 at 62a.

Cam shaft 71a continues to rotate. The tie looping cylinder 52 retracts,causing the tie looping arm 51 to return to its original position. It isto be reminded that there is a segmented gear 75. Cam shaft 71acontinues to turn. The segmented continues to turn but does not meshbecause of the lack of teeth on its surface with the pinion 58. (See theview of FIG. 4.) At this moment cam 74 is actuating micro-switch 74a,causing the solenoid valves 60-63a and 60-63b to operate. (See FIG. 6.)When valves 60-63 and 60-63b are operating, cylinders 60 and 63a areactuated. Cylinder 60 operates its ram 600. It is to be noted that inthe operation of valve 60, the ram 60a retracts rather than extends.This causes the bag ejector rod 59 to move in the same direction towardsthe spring 56 and the spinner 53. (See FIG. 1.) The bag ejector rod 59is pushed by the ram 60a all the way out through the opening in the tietwisting head 53 (see FIG. 3) to the dotted line position shown in theview of FIG. 1. This movement of rod 59 causes the neck of the bag,which has been tied, to be released from the head 53 as shown in FIG. Il.

While the bag ejector rod 59 is passing through the opening 57 in thetie twisting head 53 (see FIG. 3) and removing the tied bag 86 from thetie twisting head 53, the cylinder 63a is also operating. In thisinstance, the ram of 63a which is referred to as 64a pushes the tiepuller extension tube 66 in the same direction as the ejector rod 59 isbeing pushed. This is done, of course, because the tie puller tube 66 ismechanically connected to the ram 64a by the tie puller connector 64.

As previously stated, because the wire 62 is bent at 620, as can be seenin the view of FIG. 3, when the tube 66 is pushed in the direction ofthe arrows, the wire 62 will also be pulled because of the bend. Whilenot shown, the supply of wire 62 is mounted on a free pulley so that itpermits the pull of wire 62 without any drag. Movement of the tube 66pulls the wire 62 and inserts it into and through the opening 540 in theknife 54. The bend at 62a is even more bent as it is passed through theopening 54a. The tube 66 continues to pull the wire 62 out through anopening 50a in the tie looping head 50 to the position of the dottedlines'shown as 66.

As soon as the tube 66 reaches the position shown in the dotted lines(FIG. 1), the cylinder 63a retracts, causing its ram 64a to withdraw andalso to withdraw the tube 66. As the tube 66 returns to it originalposition, the bent wire 62 at 62a catches on the tie looping head 50 andwill not retract through the opening 50a in the tie looping head 50 andwill remain stationary. The wire is now in position to be placed aroundthe neck of a bag as previously described.

One complete cycle of operation has now been explained. As each bag isformed on the machine of FIG. 5, the cycle continues for each bag asdescribed.

When the next bag is placed in a position and ready to have the tie wiretwisted about its neck, the teeth that are on the segmented gear 75remesh with the pinion 58. This, of course, imparts rotary motion to thetube 57 which operates against the spring 56, and causes the head 53 tostart spinning and the cycle is again repeated. It is part of the designof the cam 72 that when the wire has been pulled through the headopening 50a and left engaged at the head 50 and has retracted, theswitch controlled by the cam 72 will automatically be pushed openbecause of the contour of the surface of cam 72 in preparation for thenext cycle. When switch 72a is open, the motor 71, again, will stop.(See FIG. 6.)

I claim:

1. An automatic device for tying the neck of a bag after said bag hasbeen filled comprising a means for feeding a tie wire, means for puttinga bend in the wire, means for cutting the wire into a segment, means forsqueezing the neck of a bag, means for tying the cut segment of wirearound the neck of the bag, and means for ejecting the tied bag, saidmeans for feeding the tie wire comprising a source of wire, a fixedtube, said wire being located within said fixed tube, a means having amovable arm, a movable tube proximate said fixed tube, means forconnecting said movable arm to said movable tube, said wire in saidmovable tube whereby when said arm moves, said tube moves and pulls saidwire into a position in order to be cut by said cutting means.

2. An automatic device for tying the neck of a bag as described in claim1 wherein the means for cutting the wire comprises a cam, means forconnecting said cam to said motor, a rotary knife operating tube, a gearmeans operated by said cam, said gear means imparting rotary motion tosaid rotary knife operating tube, a rotary knife for cutting the wire,said rotary operating tube connected to said knife whereby as said tuberotates, said knife rotates and the wire is cut.

3. An automatic device for tying the neck of a bag as described in claim1 wherein the means for squeezing the neck of the bag comprises a meansfor holding the bag in a fixed position, a bag gatherer, said baggatherer having means for gathering a portion of the neck of the bag,means for imparting motion to the bag gatherer, whereby the the neck ofthe bag is pushed against the said means for holding the bag in a fixedposition.

4. An automatic device for tying the neck ofa bag as described in claim1 wherein the means for squeezing the neck of the bag comprises a firstmeans for exerting backward pressure on said bag, and a second means forexerting forward pressure on said bag whereby the neck of said bag issqueezed together.

5. An automatic device for tying the neck of a bag as described in claim2 wherein the means for squeezing the neck of the bag comprises a meansfor holding the bag in a fixed position, a bag gatherer, said baggatherer having means for gathering a portion of the neck of the bag,means for imparting motion to the bag gatherer, whereby the neck of thebag is pushed against the said means for holding the bag in a fixedposition.

6. An automatic device for tying the neck of a bag as described in claim3 wherein the means for squeezing the neck of the bag comprises a firstmeans for exerting backward pressure on said bag, and a second means forexerting forward pressure on said bag whereby the neck of said bag issqueezed together.

7. An automatic device for tying the neck of a bag as described in claim1 wherein the means for ejecting the tied bag comprises a rod means,means for imparting forward and backward motion to the rod means, a wiretwisting means, means for aligning said rod means within the wiretwisting means whereby upon forward motion, said rod means pushesthrough the wire twisting means, the tied neck of the bag out from thebag gatherer, and upon backward motion, returns to its normal position.

8. An automatic device for tying the neck of a bag as described in claim2 wherein the means for ejecting the tied bag comprises a rod means,means for imparting forward and backward motion to the rod means, a wiretwisting means, means for aligning said rod means within the wiretwisting means whereby upon forward motion, said rod means pushesthrough the wire twisting means, the tied neck of the bag out from thebag gatherer, and upon backward motion, returns to its normal position.

9. An automatic device for tying the neck of a bag as described in claim3 wherein the means for ejecting the tied bag comprises a rod means,means for imparting forward and backward motion to the rod means, a wiretwisting means, means for aligning said rod means within the wiretwisting means whereby upon forward motion, said rod means pushesthrough the wire twisting means, the tied neck of the bag out from thebag gatherer, and upon backward motion, returns to its normal position.

10. An automatic device for tying the neck of a bag as described inclaim 4 wherein the means for ejecting the tied bag comprises a rodmeans, means for imparting forward and backward motion to the rod means,a wire twisting means, means for aligning said rod means within the wiretwisting means whereby upon forward motion, said rod means pushesthrough the wire twisting means, the tied neck of the bag out from thebag gatherer, and upon backward motion, returns to its normal position.

11. An automatic device for tying the neck of a bag as described inclaim 5 wherein the means for ejecting the tied bag comprises a rodmeans, means for imparting forward and backward motion to the rod means,a wire twisting means, means for aligning said rod means within the wiretwisting means whereby upon forward motion, said rod means pushesthrough the wire twisting means, the tied neck of the bag out from thebag gatherer, and upon backward motion, returns to its normal position.

12. An automatic device for tying the neck of a bag as described inclaim 6 wherein the means for ejecting the tied bag comprises a rodmeans, means for imparting forward and backward motion to the rod means,a wire twisting means, means for aligning said rod means within the wiretwisting means whereby upon forward motion, said rod means pushesthrough the wire twisting means, the tied neck of the bag out from thebag gatherer, and upon backward motion, returns to its normal position.

13. An automatic device for tying the neck of a bag as described inclaim 1 wherein the means for putting a bend in the wire comprises atube means, said wire being located within the tube means, means forimparting forward and rearward motion to said tube means, a means forimparting pressure at the forward mouth of the tube whereby when saidwire extends from the mouth of the tube, said means for impartingpressure bends said wire from the axis of said tube, whereby when saidtube is moved forward, the wire therewithin is pulled with the movementof the tube.

14. An automatic device for tying the neck of a bag as described inclaim 2 wherein the means for putting a bend in the wire comprises atube means, said wire being located within the tube means, means forimparting forward and rearward motion to said tube means, a means forimparting pressure at the forward mouth of the tube whereby when saidwire extends from the mouth of the tube, said means for impartingpressure bends said wire from the axis of said tube, whereby when saidtube is moved forward, the wire therewithin is pulled with the movementof the tube.

15. An automatic device for tying the neck of a bag as described inclaim 3 wherein the means for putting a bend in the wire comprises atube means, said wire being located within the tube means, means forimparting forward and rearward motion to said tube means, a

means for imparting pressure at the forward mouth of the tube wherebywhen said wire extends from the mouth of the tube, said means forimparting pressure bends said wire from the axis of said tube, wherebywhen said tube is moved forward, the wire therewithin is pulled with themovement of the tube.

16. An automatic device for tying the neck of a bag as described inclaim 4 wherein the means for putting a bend in the wire comprises atube means, said wire being located within the tube means, means forimparting forward and rearward motion to said tube means, a means forimparting pressure at the forward mouth of the tube whereby when saidwire extends from the mouth of the tube, said means for impartingpressure bends said wire from the axis of said tube, whereby when saidtube is moved forward, the wire therewithin is pulled with the movementof the tube.

17. An automatic device for tying the neck of a bag as described inclaim 5 wherein the means for putting a bend in the wire comprises atube means, said wire being located within the tube means, means forimparting forward and rearward motion to said tube means, a means forimparting pressure at the forward mouth of the tube whereby when saidwire extends from the mouth of the tube, said means for impartingpressure bends said wire from the axis of said tube, whereby when saidtube is moved forward, the wire therewithin is pulled with the movementof the tube.

18. An automatic device for tying the neck of a bag as described inclaim 6 wherein the means for putting a bend in the wire comprises atube means, said wire being located within the tube means, means forimparting forward and rearward motion to said tube means, a means forimparting pressure at the forward mouth of the tube whereby when saidwire extends from the mouth of the tube, said means for impartingpressure bends said wire from the axis of said tube, whereby when saidtube is moved forward, the wire therewithin is pulled with the movementof the tube.

lit)

19. An automatic device for tying the neck of a bag as described inclaim 7 wherein the means for putting a bend in the wire comprises atube means, said wire being located within the tube means, means forimparting forward and rearward motion to said tube means, a means forimparting pressure at the forward mouth of the tube whereby when saidwire extends from the mouth of the tube, said means for impartingpressure bends said wire from the axis of said tube, whereby when saidtube is moved forward, the wire therewithin is pulled with the movementof the tube.

20. An automatic device for tying the neck of a bag as described inclaim 8 wherein the means for putting a bend in the wire comprises atube means, said wire being located within the tube means, means forimparting forward and rearward motion to said tube means, a means forimparting pressure at the forward mouth of the tube whereby when saidwire extends from the mouth of the tube, said means for impartingpressure bends said wire from the axis of said tube, whereby when saidtube is moved forward, the wire therewithin is pulled with the movementof the tube.

21. An automatic device for tying the neck of a bag as described inclaim 9 wherein the means for putting a bend in the wire comprises atube means, said wire being located within the tube means, means forimparting forward and rearward motion to said tube means, a means forimparting pressure at the forward mouth of the tube whereby when saidwire extends from the mouth of the tube, said means for impartingpressure bends said wire from the axis of said tube, whereby when saidtube is moved forward, the wire therewithin is pulled with the movementof the tube.

22. An automatic device for tying the neck of a bag as described inclaim 10 wherein the means for putting a bend in the wire comprises atube means, said wire being located within the tube means, means forimparting forward and rearward motion to said tube means, a means forimparting pressure at the forward mouth of the tube whereby when saidwire extends from the mouth of the tube, said means for impartingpressure bends said wire from the axis of said tube, whereby when saidtube is moved forward, the wire therewithin is pulled with the movementof the tubes 23. An automatic device for tying the neck of a ba asdescribed in claim 11 ll wherein the means for putting a bendin the wirecomprises a tube means, said wire being located within the tube means,means for imparting forward and rearward motion to said tube means, ameans for imparting pressure at the forward mouth of the tube wherebywhen said wire extends from the mouth of the tube, said means forimparting pressure bends said wire from the axis of said tube, wherebywhen said tube is moved forward, the wire therewithin is pulled with themovement of the tube.

M. An automatic device for tying the neck of a bag as described in claim12 wherein the means for putting a bend in the wire comprises a tubemeans, said wire being located within the tube means, means forimparting forward and rearward motion to said tube means, a means forimparting pressure at the forward mouth of the tube whereby when saidwire extends from the mouth of the tube, said means for impartingpressure bends wire from the axis of said tube, whereby when said tubeis moved forward, the wire therewithin is pulled with the movement ofthe tube i i k

1. An automatic device for tying the neck of a bag after said bag hasbeen filled comprising a means for feeding a tie wire, means for puttinga bend in the wire, means for cutting the wire into a segment, means forsqueezing the neck of a bag, means for tying the cut segment of wirearound the neck of the bag, and means for ejecting the tied bag, saidmeans for feeding the tie wire comprising a source of wire, a fixedtube, said wire being located within said fixed tube, a means having amovable arm, a movable tube proximate said fixed tube, means forconnecting said movable arm to said movable tube, said wire in saidmovable tube whereby when said arm moves, said tube moves and pulls saidwire into a position in order to be cut by said cutting means.
 2. Anautomatic device for tying the neck of a bag as described in claim 1wherein the means for cutting the wire comprises a cam, means forconnecting said cam to said motor, a rotary knife operating tube, a gearmeans operated by said cam, said gear means imparting rotary motion tosaid rotary knife operating tube, a rotary knife for cutting the wire,said rotary operating tube connected to said knife whereby as said tuberotates, said knife rotates and the wire is cut.
 3. An automatic devicefor tying the neck of a bag as described in claim 1 wherein the meansfor squeezing the neck of the bag comprises a means for holding the bagin a fixed position, a bag gatherer, said bag gatherer having means forgathering a portion of the neck of the bag, means for imparting motionto the bag gatherer, whereby the the neck of the bag is pushed againstthe said means for holding the bag in a fixed position.
 4. An automaticdevice for tying the neck of a bag as described in claim 1 wherein themeans for squeezing the neck of the bag comprises a first means forexerting backward pressure on said bag, and a second means for exertingforward pressure on said bag whereby the neck of said bag is squeezedtogether.
 5. An automatic device for tying the neck of a bag asdescribed in claim 2 wherein the means for squeezing the neck of the bagcomprises a means for holding the bag in a fixed position, a baggatherer, said bag gatherer having means for gathering a portion of theneck of the bag, means for imparting motion to the bag gatherer, wherebythe neck of the bag is pushed against the said means for holding the bagin a fixed position.
 6. An automatic device for tying the neck of a bagas described in claim 3 wherein the means for squeezing the neck of thebag comprises a first means for exerting backward pressure on said bag,and a second means for exerting forward pressure on said bag whereby theneck of said bag is squeezed together.
 7. An automatic device for tyingthe neck of a bag as described in claim 1 wherein the means for ejectingthe tied bag comprises a rod means, means for imparting forward andbackward motion to the rod means, a wire twisting means, means foraligning said rod means within the wire twisting means whereby uponforward motion, said rod means pushes through the wire twisting means,the tied neck of the bag out from the bag gatherer, and upon backwardmotion, returns to its normal position.
 8. An automatic device for tyingthe neck of a bag as described in claim 2 wherein the means for ejectingthe tied bag comprises a rod means, means for imparting forward andbackward motion to the rod means, a wire twisting means, means foraligning said rod means within the wire twisting means whereby uponforward motion, said rod means pushes through the wire twisting means,the tied neck of the bag out from the bag gatherer, and upon backwardmotion, returns to its normal position.
 9. An automatic device for tyingthe neck of a bag as described in claim 3 wherein the means for ejectingthe tied bag comprises a rod means, means for imparting forward andbackward motion to the rod means, a wire twisting means, means foraligning said rod means within the wire twisting means whereby uponforward motion, said rod means pushes through the wire twisting means,the tied neck of the bag out from the bag gatherer, and upon backwardmotion, returns to its normal position.
 10. An automatic device fortying the neck of a bag as described in claim 4 wherein the means forejecting the tied bag comprises a rod means, means for imparting forwardand backward motion to the rod means, a wire twisting means, means foraligning said rod means within the wire twisting means whereby uponforward motion, said rod means pushes through the wire twisting means,the tied neck of the bag out from the bag gatherer, and upon bacKwardmotion, returns to its normal position.
 11. An automatic device fortying the neck of a bag as described in claim 5 wherein the means forejecting the tied bag comprises a rod means, means for imparting forwardand backward motion to the rod means, a wire twisting means, means foraligning said rod means within the wire twisting means whereby uponforward motion, said rod means pushes through the wire twisting means,the tied neck of the bag out from the bag gatherer, and upon backwardmotion, returns to its normal position.
 12. An automatic device fortying the neck of a bag as described in claim 6 wherein the means forejecting the tied bag comprises a rod means, means for imparting forwardand backward motion to the rod means, a wire twisting means, means foraligning said rod means within the wire twisting means whereby uponforward motion, said rod means pushes through the wire twisting means,the tied neck of the bag out from the bag gatherer, and upon backwardmotion, returns to its normal position.
 13. An automatic device fortying the neck of a bag as described in claim 1 wherein the means forputting a bend in the wire comprises a tube means, said wire beinglocated within the tube means, means for imparting forward and rearwardmotion to said tube means, a means for imparting pressure at the forwardmouth of the tube whereby when said wire extends from the mouth of thetube, said means for imparting pressure bends said wire from the axis ofsaid tube, whereby when said tube is moved forward, the wire therewithinis pulled with the movement of the tube.
 14. An automatic device fortying the neck of a bag as described in claim 2 wherein the means forputting a bend in the wire comprises a tube means, said wire beinglocated within the tube means, means for imparting forward and rearwardmotion to said tube means, a means for imparting pressure at the forwardmouth of the tube whereby when said wire extends from the mouth of thetube, said means for imparting pressure bends said wire from the axis ofsaid tube, whereby when said tube is moved forward, the wire therewithinis pulled with the movement of the tube.
 15. An automatic device fortying the neck of a bag as described in claim 3 wherein the means forputting a bend in the wire comprises a tube means, said wire beinglocated within the tube means, means for imparting forward and rearwardmotion to said tube means, a means for imparting pressure at the forwardmouth of the tube whereby when said wire extends from the mouth of thetube, said means for imparting pressure bends said wire from the axis ofsaid tube, whereby when said tube is moved forward, the wire therewithinis pulled with the movement of the tube.
 16. An automatic device fortying the neck of a bag as described in claim 4 wherein the means forputting a bend in the wire comprises a tube means, said wire beinglocated within the tube means, means for imparting forward and rearwardmotion to said tube means, a means for imparting pressure at the forwardmouth of the tube whereby when said wire extends from the mouth of thetube, said means for imparting pressure bends said wire from the axis ofsaid tube, whereby when said tube is moved forward, the wire therewithinis pulled with the movement of the tube.
 17. An automatic device fortying the neck of a bag as described in claim 5 wherein the means forputting a bend in the wire comprises a tube means, said wire beinglocated within the tube means, means for imparting forward and rearwardmotion to said tube means, a means for imparting pressure at the forwardmouth of the tube whereby when said wire extends from the mouth of thetube, said means for imparting pressure bends said wire from the axis ofsaid tube, whereby when said tube is moved forward, the wire therewithinis pulled with the movement of the tube.
 18. An automatic device fortying the neck of a bag as described in claim 6 wherein the means forputting a bend in the wire comprises a tube means, said wire beinglocated within the tube means, means for imparting forward and rearwardmotion to said tube means, a means for imparting pressure at the forwardmouth of the tube whereby when said wire extends from the mouth of thetube, said means for imparting pressure bends said wire from the axis ofsaid tube, whereby when said tube is moved forward, the wire therewithinis pulled with the movement of the tube.
 19. An automatic device fortying the neck of a bag as described in claim 7 wherein the means forputting a bend in the wire comprises a tube means, said wire beinglocated within the tube means, means for imparting forward and rearwardmotion to said tube means, a means for imparting pressure at the forwardmouth of the tube whereby when said wire extends from the mouth of thetube, said means for imparting pressure bends said wire from the axis ofsaid tube, whereby when said tube is moved forward, the wire therewithinis pulled with the movement of the tube.
 20. An automatic device fortying the neck of a bag as described in claim 8 wherein the means forputting a bend in the wire comprises a tube means, said wire beinglocated within the tube means, means for imparting forward and rearwardmotion to said tube means, a means for imparting pressure at the forwardmouth of the tube whereby when said wire extends from the mouth of thetube, said means for imparting pressure bends said wire from the axis ofsaid tube, whereby when said tube is moved forward, the wire therewithinis pulled with the movement of the tube.
 21. An automatic device fortying the neck of a bag as described in claim 9 wherein the means forputting a bend in the wire comprises a tube means, said wire beinglocated within the tube means, means for imparting forward and rearwardmotion to said tube means, a means for imparting pressure at the forwardmouth of the tube whereby when said wire extends from the mouth of thetube, said means for imparting pressure bends said wire from the axis ofsaid tube, whereby when said tube is moved forward, the wire therewithinis pulled with the movement of the tube.
 22. An automatic device fortying the neck of a bag as described in claim 10 wherein the means forputting a bend in the wire comprises a tube means, said wire beinglocated within the tube means, means for imparting forward and rearwardmotion to said tube means, a means for imparting pressure at the forwardmouth of the tube whereby when said wire extends from the mouth of thetube, said means for imparting pressure bends said wire from the axis ofsaid tube, whereby when said tube is moved forward, the wire therewithinis pulled with the movement of the tube.
 23. An automatic device fortying the neck of a bag as described in claim 11 wherein the means forputting a bend in the wire comprises a tube means, said wire beinglocated within the tube means, means for imparting forward and rearwardmotion to said tube means, a means for imparting pressure at the forwardmouth of the tube whereby when said wire extends from the mouth of thetube, said means for imparting pressure bends said wire from the axis ofsaid tube, whereby when said tube is moved forward, the wire therewithinis pulled with the movement of the tube.
 24. An automatic device fortying the neck of a bag as described in claim 12 wherein the means forputting a bend in the wire comprises a tube means, said wire beinglocated within the tube means, means for imparting forward and rearwardmotion to said tube means, a means for imparting pressure at the forwardmouth of the tube whereby when said wire extends from the mouth of thetube, said means for imparting pressure bends wire from the axis of saidtube, whereby when said tube is moved forward, the wire therewithin ispulled with the movement of the tube.